Emergency Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Purpose/Objective

The Emergency Officer will support the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of emergency response and disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities within the country program. The position will assist the Emergency Manager in conducting assessments, implementing response interventions, engaging communities and partners, monitoring crisis triggers, and ensuring timely delivery of emergency response activities in accordance with IRC policies, donor requirements, humanitarian standards, and government regulations.

Main Responsibilities

She/he will ensure that an engagement approach to working with communities and the local authorities, other partners is employed and all activities are carried out in a way that is sensitive to community needs and promotes the full and equal participation of women, men, children and youth. Primary responsibilities include:

Project Planning and Assessments

• Support rapid needs assessments, baseline surveys, and emergency field assessments.

• Collect and analyze information to support identification of humanitarian needs and priorities.

• Assist in the development of project implementation plans, work plans, budgets, and response strategies.

• Support the development and review of technical specifications, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and operational guidelines for emergency response activities.

• Participate in contingency planning and emergency preparedness initiatives

Project Implementation

• Coordinate and implement emergency response activities in assigned locations.

• Monitor daily project activities to ensure quality implementation and adherence to approved plans.

• Support effective delivery of emergency interventions within approved budgets and timelines.

• Ensure beneficiary participation, inclusion, accountability, and protection principles are integrated into all project activities.

• Support procurement processes through preparation of technical inputs, field verification, and monitoring of supplies and services.

• Promote compliance with IRC policies, humanitarian principles, and donor requirements during implementation.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

• Assist in collecting, compiling, and validating project data and indicators.

• Support implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks and tracking systems.

• Conduct routine field monitoring visits and prepare monitoring reports.

• Track project progress against work plans and targets and promptly report challenges.

• Maintain accurate project records, beneficiary databases, and activity documentation.

• Support accountability mechanisms, including community feedback and complaint response systems.

• Contribute to documentation of lessons learned, success stories, and best practices.

Reporting

• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and other routine activity reports.

• Compile field updates, assessment findings, and response progress reports.

• Ensure timely submission of project documentation and supporting evidence.

• Provide regular updates on implementation progress, risks, and emerging humanitarian concerns.

Community Engagement and Coordination

• Facilitate community mobilization and awareness activities.

• Strengthening engagement with local authorities, community structures, and humanitarian partners.

• Support coordination meetings at community and field levels.

• Encourage participation of women, men, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups in project activities.

• Actively participate in inter-sectoral activities and coordination initiatives.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Monitor humanitarian situations and report emerging risks and crisis triggers.

• Support rapid deployment and scale-up of emergency interventions during crises.

• Participate in emergency preparedness exercises, simulations, and contingency planning.

• Assist in outbreak response, displacement response, and other emergency operations as required.

Compliance and Safeguarding

• Ensure adherence to IRC Code of Conduct, safeguarding, and protection policies.

• Comply with donor regulations, government requirements, and humanitarian standards.

• Promote safe, accountable, and inclusive programming.

• Immediately report safeguarding concerns, security incidents, and operational risks through appropriate channels.

Required Qualifications:

• Degree/Diploma in public health, nursing, community development, clinical medicine or related field.  

• A minimum of Three years’ experience on programming in emergencies, relief or development including implementing a large-scale community-based humanitarian project with evidence of successful implementation of similar projects.

Required Experience & Competencies:

• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in ASAL

• Strong skills in project management

• Demonstrated skills in technical design and roll out of humanitarian response and disease outbreaks.

• Experience in community engagement approaches, participatory approaches and community negotiation

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with a team

• Good understanding of SPHERE and other international and national standards

• Good computer application skills (MS-Office, application software to engineering designs).

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Why Choose the IRC?

Work that has meaning: Every day at the IRC is a chance to make a difference through a purpose-driven career. Whether you're working directly with communities or providing support behind the scenes, you will be part of a dynamic team that is always innovating, scaling, and testing new and better solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

Global scale, dynamic workplace: At the IRC, we believe that the dynamic, global make-up of our team is our strength. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you will be part of a global organization positively impacting millions of lives in over 40 get to work with colleagues from all around the world—working across time zones and regularly exchanging different ideas, perspectives and insights. You’ll join a team that is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.  

Challenging work, innovative solutions: We’re committed to excellence and innovation, and pride ourselves in setting industry-leading standards while practicing evidence and data-lead strategies. Come challenge norms, shatter conventions, and pioneer change while working on real, nuanced and complex issues we face in the world today.  

Community centered: We’re an empathetic community that truly cares for one another. Our comprehensive safety and security initiatives ensure a safe work environment, while our continuous learning and development programs provide ongoing opportunities for personal and career advancement.

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Our Typical Recruitment Process

The interview process typically includes three rounds, though the number may vary depending on the role and level of seniority. It usually begins with a conversation with our recruiting team to learn more about you and your goals. This is followed by an interview with a hiring manager or business stakeholder to explore your background and provide more insight into the role. The final round focuses on assessing your role-specific expertise and may be conducted as a panel interview to evaluate your cross-functional strengths. Before extending an offer, we generally conduct reference checks, and after an offer is made, a standard background check is completed. While we strive for consistency, the process may differ based on the role, business unit, location, job type, legal requirements, and other factors.

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